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Mohamad Ali Sidik Zamzami, popularly known as Mo Sidik, during the finale of his world tour at Usmar Ismail Theater, South Jakarta, on Dec. 2, 2017. (JP/Jessicha Valentina)

Jakartans may have noticed the distinct lack of English-speaking local comics in the capital. Mohamad Ali Sidik Zamzami, popularly known as Mo Sidik, is one such rare talent.

Unlike other comics, who tend to specialize in one language, Mo manages to excel in both Bahasa Indonesia and English.

As the finale of his world tour, titled “Fattitude,” Mo staged an English stand-up show in Usmar Ismail Theater, South Jakarta, on Saturday. The show has been acknowledged as first English stand-up show performed by an Indonesian in Jakarta.

The Bukittinggi-born comic kicked off his show by making fun of Jakarta’s traffic hullabaloo, everyone's favorite joke. He then smoothly transitioned to joking about the traffic jam savior ojek (motorcycle taxi), and how these drivers treat overweight people. Jokes about fat people are not always easy to pull off, and can often head south. However, the 135-kilogram man effortlessly told the story of breaking an ojek driver's Yamaha Mio, without sounding cliché or trashy.

Mo also shared his experiences of participating in the 1998 student protest. Through his narration, he brought the audience to the thrilling event, telling it from an overweight person's perspective. He amusingly admitted that he took a taxi to the House of Representatives building, instead of joining the long march, bringing a burst of laughter from the audience. This well-crafted story was both original and entertaining.

In addition to discussing life as a fat person, the comic also offered a sneak-peek into the next theme he plans to draw on, “Funny, Insya Allah.” Mo told The Jakarta Post last week that he plans to tell stories about his life as a Muslim.

During the show, his hilarious anecdote about performing Friday prayer in Afghanistan left the audience eagerly awaiting his next show. (kes)